After Graduation, Cristin’s Dental Health Dream Lives On

(Cristin with 2018 PAW Applicants and Volunteers)

Among our affiliate’s inaugural Dreamstarter® class in 2015 was Cristin Haase, a promising dental student whose dream was to not only become a dentist herself, but also to help other Native youth navigate the complex application process for acceptance into dental school.

Cristin used her Dreamstarter grant to organize and develop a pre-admission workshop at her school, the A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH). Her dream was realized thanks to her hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping others like her succeed in the dental profession.

We are also proud that Cristin achieved her own personal dream of graduating from dental school and launching a career in dentistry & oral health, focusing on the needs of Native American children.

Although she is no longer at ATSU-ASDOH, her dream lives on. ATSU-ASDOH recently hosted the third annual American Indian Pre-Dental Admission Workshop attended by 12 college students from across the country.

In addition to preparing for the dental school application process during the free workshop, PAW participants got hands-on experience in the dental simulation lab, one-on-one time with current dental students, and a tour of the dental school.

Sarah Hill, a third-year student at ATSU-ASDOH who played a major role in planning this year’s PAW, stated: “We want students early in the process to understand what it is to become a dentist.”

We are thrilled to know that Cristin’s dream is being kept alive by people like Sarah who are following in Cristin’s footsteps, and we thankful to all those who supported her dream of better dental care for all Native children and adults.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Cristin and all the Dreamstarters!